Poznań: Paul Chalmers Cinderella soon to premiere at Grand Theatre

On 15 February (6 pm) Stanisław Moniuszko Grand Theatre is debuting Cinderella set to Sergei Prokofiev’s score. The ballet adaptation of Charles Perrault’s world-famous tale of an orphan, her vicious step-mother and callous step-sisters, fairy godmother, a price and his royal father. The plot is reminiscent of the traditional, commonly known outline. Poznań Opera House previously staged the production in 1984.The current rendition comes from the excellent dancer and choreographer, Paul Chalmer. A former soloist of the Stuttgart Ballet, Chalmer graced leading roles of the classical and contemporary repertoire, collaborating with top choreographers. His own choreographic debut came in 1996, since when he has staged a range of canonical and original ballet works, including The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Giselle, or Romeo and Juliet. Cinderella is his first Polish production.

The opera’s orchestra will be lead by Tadeusz Kozłowski, one of Poland’s most exquisite opera conductors. Awarded the Bronze Gloria Artis Medal for his contribution to Polish culture, he has performed almost everywhere in Europe. Kozłowski conducted Cinderella when it was staged at Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera in Warsaw (2010).

Post-premiere presentations: 16 February (6 pm), 20-21 February, (5 pm and 11 am, respectively).

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Ballet in two parts
Libretto by Nikolai Volkov
Based on Charles Perrault’s fairy tale

conductor:Tadeusz Kozłowski
choreography:Paul Chalmer
stage design:Anna Kontek
lighting design:Marek Rydian
photo:Ośko / Bogunia
design:Kaliński / Typodrom

Cast:

CinderellaMarika Kucza / Paulina Majda / Shino Sakurado
The Prince Arkadiusz Gumny / Oliver Jones / Mateusz Sierant
FATHER Arkadiusz Gumny /Oliver Jones / Mateusz Sierant
PARSLEY Aleksandra Brzezowska / Natalia Trafankowska / Katarzyna Samól
PEAR Dominika Babiarz / Hanna Panas / Jennifer Rivera Lara
STEP-MOTHERBeata Macioszczyk / Zuzanna Perszewska
FAIRY GODMOTHER Asuka Horiuchi / Karolina Sierant
SPRING Maria Kielan-Łopatin / Ichigo Oguro
SUMMERMarika Kucza / Paulina Majda
AUTUMNJennifer Rivera Lara / Lidia Zwolińska
WINTERAsuka Horiuchi / Shino Sakurado
DANCE TEACHER Wiktor Dawidiuk / Jakub Starzycki / John Svensson / Gento Yoshimoto

The following events are held in conjunction with Cinderella’s premiere:

5 February 2014– jewellery-making workshops Cinderella’s Dream,Drabowicza Room, 12:00
6 February 2014 – cooking workshops Cinderella – Fairytale Taste,Drabowicza Room, 12:00

Category A tickets (ground floor seats) – PLN 45 (regular), PLN 38 (discounted). Tickets may be bought at the opera’s box offices and on www.bilety.opera.poznan.pl. To make a group booking, please call +48 61 65 90 280 or 61 65 90 228, or write to bow@opera.poznan.pl(Mon-Fri, 8 am -4 pm)